Hundreds of Comedians Unpaid by Leicester Comedy Festival After February Performances
Hundreds of comedians and event organisers are awaiting payment from one of the UK's largest comedy festivals, the Leicester Comedy Festival, following its conclusion in February. The festival, which featured over 500 acts and attracted approximately 100,000 spectators, has delayed settlements due to what organisers describe as cashflow problems.
Comedian Ben Alborough, who is owed close to £2,000, highlighted the financial strain. "It's very frustrating. I've got bills to pay like everyone else," he stated, noting that performers often invest hundreds of pounds in production, travel, and registration fees for individual shows. Canadian stand-up Zoe Brownstone, owed £180, expressed disappointment, stating, "It is astonishing to me that a big organised festival can't pay me at the end of the day."
Rachael Johnson, who hosted two festival events in Lutterworth, is awaiting £600. "We've paid all our acts and all of our team, but we haven't actually had the money for the ticket sales come through... so we're well and truly out of pocket," she explained, while acknowledging the operational difficulties faced by festival organisers.
Organisers Cite Funding Delays
Michael Harris-Wakelam, CEO of Big Difference, the non-profit organisation behind the festival, confirmed the payment delays are due to outstanding funds owed to them from various sources, including sponsorship, commission shows, and third-party ticket sales. He assured that organisers are prioritising artist payments and are in discussions with banks for bridging loans to expedite settlements. "This is a case of a small delay rather than 'you won't be paid'," Harris-Wakelam asserted.
The wider live comedy sector faces significant financial challenges. Industry leaders have warned that a lack of funding and incentives, particularly for grassroots venues, risks stifling emerging talent. Live music venues in England are set to receive a 15% reduction in business rates from April 2026, a relief not extended to comedy clubs. Harris-Wakelam argued that greater government and funder recognition of comedy's importance could alleviate such pressures.
Ian Manborde, Midlands representative for the artists' trade union Equity, confirmed that the festival has committed to full payment for all performers. He stressed the urgent need for reliable funding for live comedy, noting that "payment problems in comedy have long been an issue." Despite the financial uncertainty, some performers, including Ben Alborough, expressed a desire to return to the Leicester Comedy Festival in future years, citing its significance to their careers and the wider comedy scene.
